Purpose and Values

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Rahim Salsa Friday organizes Latin Dance in Ottawa. The event is open to dancers, instructors, performers, DJs, photographers, videographers, and entertainers of of all ages and all ethnicities. Our goal is to help build and strengthen the Social Dance community in Ottawa.

 

Rahim Salsa Friday  is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable event experience for everyone. Therefore all attendees, instructors, performers, staff, volunteers, photographers, videographers and VIPs at the event are required to comply with the following code of conduct. Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody. We care.

Options for help

• • Find an organizer in person during the event via the registration desk.

  • Email: rahimslatinfriday@gmail.com

  • Call/Text 613-295-5038

Whatever means of communication you choose, the organizers will listen to you and work with you to determine the best course of action for the safety and well-being of yourself and all other participants.

 

Declaration of safe space

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Rahim Salsa Friday is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion (or lack thereof). We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery in social situations is not appropriate for any event venue, including dances, workshops, lectures, competitions, Twitter, Facebook, and other online media. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the organizers.

 

Welcome to All​

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We welcome all dancers and lovers of music regardless of age, gender/gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, and religion.

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Be your best Self

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Be the best human you can be. Respect yourself, your dance partner, and those around you. If something does not feel right, speak up. Come to talk to staff.

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Take Care of Yourself​

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Be aware of your own boundaries and physical needs. Do not neglect your health, remember to sleep, wash your hands frequently, and remember to take your meds if applicable.

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Be Respectful to Staff​

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Be respectful to event staff, even if you are experiencing a personal frustration. Without the goodwill of these individuals, a smoothly functioning event is impossible.

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It’s OK to say No

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You are encouraged to dance with lots of different people but everyone has the right to say ‘no’ to a dance, no reason required. Be gracious if the answer is 'no'.

Connection. Connect with partners the way you would like to feel connection yourself. Do not squeeze, grab, push, or pull in a hurtful way. If they tell you it is not right for them, listen and respect them.

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Unacceptable Conduct

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Verbal or physical misconduct is unacceptable, and offenders may be banned permanently. This includes bullying, sexual harassment, or any other abuse.

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Play Safe

 

No aerials on the social dance floor. Do not practice drops, lifts, or dips with partners who have not said they are comfortable with those movements.

Teaching is for Class

Do not correct others’ dancing unless you are specifically asked for feedback, even in class (exception: if something physically hurts, tell your partner so they know not to do it again).

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Say Sorry

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If you accidentally kick or hit someone while dancing, apologize. If you accidentally touch or graze someone’s private areas, apologize.

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Be Mindful

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Not everyone enjoys being dipped at the end of a song or being held very close while dancing. Everyone's boundaries are different, respect them.

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Be Responsible

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Both partners should take responsibility for protecting themselves and each other during the dance.

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Be Polite

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Smile and make occasional eye contact with your partner, but please don't stare; that can be uncomfortable.

Hygiene

Sweat a lot? Bring a spare shirt or two. Had onions or garlic for dinner? There are breath mints at the front desk and at the DJ desk. There is water also at Rahim Salsa Friday event.

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Dress Appropriately

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Fancy is not required but classy and comfortable are encouraged. Avoid wearing spike heels or shoes that easily fall off your feet.

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Have Fun

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We are all here to have fun.

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No harassment

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We mean it. Zero Tolerance

No forms of harassment will be tolerated. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments (related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, OR religion), sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of workshops or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender, expulsion from the event without refund, and/or expulsion from all future events.

 

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of event staff immediately, using one of the methods above.

Event staff will be happy to help participants contact the organizers, or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance and your safety.

We expect all participants to follow these rules at Rahim Salsa Friday.

 

PLEASE CONTACT SOMEONE IF YOU NEED HELP. BE SAFE AND ENJOY AT RAHIM SALSA FRIDAY!